Etisalat to provide multi channel B2B access by the year-end

ABU DHABI, Mar 3, 2003 (WAM) --Etisalat will provide multi channel access to its B2B solutions to corporate customers by the end of this year, said Ali Sharid, general manager, West Cost Region. He said: "We want to enhance relationship with our government and private sector customers. Our B2B online solution is seen as a key to enhancing our links in this segment as it allows our customers to have access to Etisalat anytime anywhere through multi-channel access." Once the multi access portal is ready, Etisalat's corporate B2B customers can access data and transact business on-line with mobile devices such as mobile phones, mobile computers and PDAs from almost anywhere, according to reports in the UAE's dailies. Sharjah Airport International Free Zone (SAIF Zone) yesterday became the first organisation Sharjah to have an E-Shop B2B solution developed for them by Etisalat. SAIF Zone can now transact online for all their requirements with Etisalat. The B2B solution unveiled last year is emerging popular with leading government departments and corporate customers. Khalid Al Kaf, general manager, Network Services, Etisalat said: "SAIF Zone is our third customer with Dubai Municipality and Dubai Civil Aviation already using it. We expect about 100 government departments and corporates to subscribe this service by the end of this year." Etisalat has worked very closely with SAIF Zone to develop the customised solution. "This is an exciting initiative enhancing communications between organisations in the country, which is very important in implementing e-governance," said Taryam Mattar Taryam, director general of SAIF Zone. In addition to SAIF Zone, Etisalat has developed similar solutions for several government departments. "Seven federal agencies and private sector companies in the UAE have expressed an interest in the new service. Our main aim when we developed the E-Shop B2B solution was to enhance our links with business and corporate customers," Al Kaf added. The SAIF Zone B2B solution has been designed in association with Comtrust, Etisalat's e-commerce business unit using the latest online security services. For additional security, Comtrust have issued digital certificates to selected users within SAIF Zone to verify their identity electronically. At the same time, highest-level encryption will ensure the security of data transferred over the Internet. The E-Shop B2B solution, Etisalat's online business centre, provides an electronic interface between business customers and Etisalat for transaction automation. The B2B solution is available to all Etisalat business customers and can be accessed via the Internet by entering www.etisalatb2b.ae. Business customers who subscribe to this service will have a dedicated solution developed and customised to meet their exact requirements. The solution covers all Etisalat services such as PABX and Key systems, pre- and post-paid mobiles, and data services. WAM-VV